--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My first agent dissuaded me from calling…" description: "\"My first agent dissuaded me from calling myself 'Cumberbatch.' I had six months of not very productive time with her, so I changed agents. The new one ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_agent_my-first-agent-dissuaded-me-from-calling_2335964.jpg" --- # My first agent dissuaded me from calling myself… ![“My first agent dissuaded me from calling myself 'Cumberbatch.' I had six months of not very productive time with her, so I changed agents. The new one said, 'Why aren't you using your family name? It's a real attention-grabber.' I worried, 'How much is it going to cost to put my name in lights?'…” quote by Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_agent_my-first-agent-dissuaded-me-from-calling_2335964.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_agent_my-first-agent-dissuaded-me-from-calling_2335964.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11f/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_agent_my-first-agent-dissuaded-me-from-calling_2335964.jpg) > “My first agent dissuaded me from calling myself 'Cumberbatch.' I had six months of not very productive time with her, so I changed agents. The new one said, 'Why aren't you using your family name? It's a real attention-grabber.' I worried, 'How much is it going to cost to put my name in lights?' But then I decided that's not my problem.” [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He switched agents after unproductive guidance, adopting a more marketable name despite concerns about cost and image. **In simple terms:** He changed agents and embraced a catchy name. Key Takeaway Embrace branding that works. Themes career branding identity decision-making Mood thoughtful strategic Type career branding When to use this quote - actor’s career - name change - industry advice Key Concepts personal branding agency dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What role does a name play in professional success? - When should you prioritize authenticity over marketability? A Different Perspective Changing a name may not guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) ## Related quotes > [I just got engaged. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallika-sherawat/my-father-was-like-she-will-go-into-films-and-ruin-the-family-name-he/) [Mallika Sherawat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallika-sherawat/) > [If you wish to collect complimentary material for a record of yourself, never appeal to your relations. They may be proud of you as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corra-may-harris/if-you-wish-to-collect-complimentary-material-for-a-record-of/) [Corra May Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corra-may-harris/) > [“There are two kinds of Fools. 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Keeps the family names going.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-price/amish-children-are-usually-named-after-aunts-or-uncles-or-some-other/) [Sarah Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-price/) > [“Benefits of Being in God’s Family The moment you were spiritually born into God’s family, you were given some astounding birthday gifts: the family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/benefits-of-being-in-god-s-family-the-moment-you-were-spiritually/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) ## More by Benedict Cumberbatch > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [It's the same thing, I think, whether it's breathing or meditation or yoga. 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I'm quite homespun. I would say I'm more modern rustic than gadget-orientated. I like woollen things and log fires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-m-not-very-geeky-i-m-quite-homespun-i-would-say-i-m-more-modern/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [This is an odd profession, and sometimes people get jealous, but I haven't really experienced any of that. Everyone's been really happy for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/this-is-an-odd-profession-and-sometimes-people-get-jealous-but-i/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-can-feel-infinitely-alive-curled-up-on-the-sofa-reading-a-book/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think with any characterization there's a point where you empathize, no matter how much of a deviance his or her actions may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-with-any-characterization-there-s-a-point-where-you-empathize/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [When are you ever settled enough to have kids?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/when-are-you-ever-settled-enough-to-have-kids/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [You have to sometimes just run with the problem rather than trying to solve it with hi-tech wizardry and lots of planning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/you-have-to-sometimes-just-run-with-the-problem-rather-than-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) [Explore all 281 Benedict Cumberbatch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## More Agent quotes > [I said to my agent, 'I want short, sharp, well-paid jobs because I haven't got time for anything else.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-whitelaw/i-said-to-my-agent-i-want-short-sharp-well-paid-jobs-because-i-haven/) [Billie Whitelaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-whitelaw/) > [I was in Vietnam, and I was exposed to Agent Orange. 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